How do you solve a heat flux equation?

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Quick Answer

Solving a heat flux equation requires a knowledge of two variables: the heat transfer rate and the area of the object in question. The heat flux equation is the quotient of these two variables through the following equation: Q = Q/A. For this equation, "Q" is the heat transfer rate and "A" is the area.

Calculate the cross-sectional area of the object using the appropriate geometric equation. These equations vary with the shape. For example, the area of a rectangular-shaped object is the product of the base and height, while the area of a square-shaped object is the length squared.

Calculate the heat transfer rate

Calculate the heat transfer rate through the following equation: Q = KA(Th - Tc)/d. For this equation, "A" is the area, "K" is the thermal conductivity, "Th" is the high temperature, "Tc" is the low temperature and "d" is the thickness of the object. "K" typically varies with the material under consideration. Find these values from the problem, and calculate the value in watts.

Divide the heat transfer rate by the area

Divide the heat transfer rate by the area to get the heat flux. Since metric units are typically used in these calculations, the answer is in watts per meters squared (watt/m^2).